Rafael Nadal will seek his second straight title on hard courts Sunday in Beijing against Nick Kyrgios. Nadal reached his fourth Beijing final after dismissing Grigor Dimitrov in three sets 6-3, 4-6, 6-1.

Nadal looked to be in full control ahead by a set and a break, but the Bulgarian fought back to level and eventually forced a third.

“I’m very happy to be in the final again,” said Nadal. “Of course, it is a very important achievement for me to continue with the positive feelings after winning the US Open. To be back here and be in the final with that very tough draw I had is a great effort. So I’m very happy.

“I am very pleased the way that I have been playing the whole week, after a very tough first day. So here I am. I am in the final. Another chance tomorrow to compete in a big match. That’s important for me. That’s why we practise every day and try to improve.”

Nadal, who is seeking a second Beijing title after 2005, enters the final riding an 11 match win streak, and he improves to 9-1 against Dimitrov. It was his first match against a Top 10 foe since the French Open.

“I think I played pretty okay tennis,” said Dimitrov. “Even the second set, even though I won it, I think I could have done a lot of things better. I think my game just wasn’t up to speed today. Again, I’m just pleased the way that I fight and I stay positive. I think this is something to really build up on.”

Kyrgios took the court later against rival Alexander Zverev, and the Australian was in command throughout with a 6-3, 7-5 win.

“I’m very happy,” said Kyrgios who has now won 9 of his last 11 matches. “It’s always very tough playing Zverev. He’s had a great year and is one of the best players in the world right now. He’s got a massive future ahead of him, but I played really well tonight and knew what my game plan was going to be.

“Every match for me is the same. I try to serve big and play big. I treat every match the same and will have a chance to play the final against one of the greatest of all time tomorrow. We’re 2-2 and he’s going to want some revenge from the last time we played. I’m excited. Whatever happens will happen.”

Kyrgios is into his sixth ATP final, seeking a fourth title. Nadal will is in his Tour-best ninth final of the season (5-3) and the 110th in his career (74-35). The last time he won at least six titles in a season was in 2013.

Nadal and Kyrgios are 2-2 in their series. Nadal won 6-3, 6-1 in May in the third round of Madrid before Kyrgios won 6-2, 7-5 in the Cincinnati quarters in August. This is their first meeting in a final.

The only previous time Kyrgios has faced a World No. 1, he came out with a victory, beating Nadal in the fourth round at Wimbledon in 2014 when he was ranked No. 144.

So few comments on Rafa’s win – expected to see lots of comments??? Anyways, congrats to Rafa and his fans, especially his 3 muskateers (Okie/AM/Willow). Rafa the man to watch for sure. Can he take Shanghai as well?

Awwww!…Thank u so much JK for the congratz!…About the commments…actually..i’m really really proud of my fellow Rafans here…even rafa dominated half the season..almost all of them keep really cool about it…and not come here bragging non stop about it…that is a very very good attitude indeed!..So..fellow Rafans!…Keep on doing it!!…We enjoy Rafa’s win…but at the same time..respect other Greats especially who’s injured out there…Vamos!!

AndyMira me too its fantastic isnt it, and your quite right, no bragging just happy hes doing what hes doing, loving the analysis on TG about Rafas game, Moyas helped him improve his second serve, and he seems confident when it comes to saving BPs, he seems to have rediscovered that mental toughness too, and i have great respect for the other all time greats too ….

Yesss! congrats to Rafa, the best of a good field this past week (true they weren’t Fed, Nole, Andy, Wawa…)
Couldn’t see da match but it must have been real nice to the fans, congrats to Rafa supporters here! 😚😚😚

Awesome display by Nadal!
I look forward to Shanghai. If Fed wins it, the race is on!
Looks like the Cult is taking a break right now. I expect it to come out of the woodwork soon as its God would be playing.

@JK…..I’ve been quiet today……heart went into A-fun last night and it’s not back into sinus rhythm yet…..so not feeling like chatting. But yes so happy for my guy…..VINTAGE RAFA! Thanks for the congrats to we three!! Appreciate cha’!!! On to Shanghai.

Not A-fun but A-fib cause it sure ain’t fun it’s scary…….
#❤️beatnafunk…..My son said it was caused by loss of sleep from watching too much Rafa tennis……..and he’s probably right!! Oh well a girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do!! LOL

Take care Okie. I did not understand about A-fib. Can you elaborate what happened to you? Okie is Ok now, yes?
Re : Rafans, well they are definitely not a Cult like Fedfans. The cult went overboard this year.

@t4t……..It means that my heart is not in sinus rhythm….it’s irregular…..beating fast then slow and skipping beats. I was diagnosed with A-fib when I had a mini stroke in 2008. I now take warfarin to keep my blood thin so if my heart goes in to
a-fib my chances of throwing a blood clot are slimmer. I’m feeling better….my heart rate is slower than it was last night but my heart is still not in rhythm atm…..it makes me weak so I have been on the sofa all day long. Everything happens on the week-end when the doctor’s offices are closed. I probably will go to try to get in to see my cardiologist tomorrow. Thanks for asking.

Proud of Rafa for his win today. We will see how he holds up for Shanghai. I hope he doesn’t run out if steam!

@Willow…..Thank you for the well wishes. I will have to admit I do worry about myself having a stroke and being by alone. My brother had a heart Cath done and they had to take him off of his Coumadin before the procedure…..which was on an out patient basis, he got up the next morning and asked who the woman was cooking his breakfast….did not know his wife. His heart went into a-fib and he threw a blood clot and that caused him to have a stroke…..so I do get nervous about it which causes anxiety and here ya go ….a vicious cycle……I’m almost afraid to shut my eyes! Oops this isn’t about tennis…..forgive please!

Okie:
Living alone? – does bring new worries – then I remind myself of so many friends who have never married….

My big sis. had a suspected stroke 3 weeks ago. I believe it was due to deepset worries – she barely gets a good night’s sleep because of anxiety re. her hubbie’s weird and noisy sleeping patterns….a re-occurrence of an earlier brain tumour.
Answer? Relax, Exercise and remember to get enuf sleep – even go contintental and have a lunch-time cat-nap whenever possible.

As for tennis – I think we are all getting used to Rafa’s successes that it’s almost automatic that he’ll win – much the same as it used to be with Nole….hence comments become a bit repetitive….yes?…no?